Evaluation of current desertification status in shore deserts using biophysical criteria of IMDPA model

Desertification refers to land degradation phenomenon in arid، semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas، resulting from various factors including: climatic and anthropogenic activities. There are vast natural areas in Iran، which have susceptible and fragile ecosystem and desert condition. In order to challenging with desertification، it is necessary to do some scientific research and assessment in different parts of the world. In this respect، a comprehensive model entitled «Iranian Model of Desertification Potential Assessment» has been prepared in Iran. In this research، among different existing methods IMDPA was selected and desertification intensity was evaluated on the basis of 4 criteria including: Climate، vegetation cover، soil and wind erosion and 16 indices. Each criterion was assessed based on the selected indices which result in qualitative mapping of each criterion cased on geometric average of the indices. Finally، sensitive map of region was extracted using geometric average of all criteria. Analysis of desertification criteria in Konarak region showed that among study criteria، soil criteria is a major problem in the study area with a geometric average of 1. 7 which shows very high class while wind erosion criteria with a weighted average of 1. 63 stands in second order of desertification class. Among the whole study area، 27. 71% was found to be in medium and about 53. 33% in very high class of desertification.